Overview & Reviews
At its introduction, the Chevrolet Venture and its corporate siblings were top-notch examples of the hot minivan class. We went so far as to describe it as "outstanding," impressed with its communicative chassis, sharp steering and nimble handling. Well, in a "the 320-pound left tackle was surprisingly nimble" sort of way.
At the time, the Venture matched Chrysler's innovative new minivans by offering a driver-side sliding door and two wheelbases, then added a few tricks of its own to entice families. We weren't so impressed with its toothy chrome grille and uncomfortable modular seating, but in general, we considered the Chevrolet Venture a good buy.
Time and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) was not kind, however, as newer minivans and a poor offset crash rating conspired to sink the Venture's favorable opinion marks. The downturn of all minivan sales also torpedoed Chevy's entry, forcing General Motors to throw together a replacement van using the Venture's body, a long aardvark-inspired nose and raised ride height to create the supposed SUV-like Uplander. Nobody bought the idea of a crossover minivan and for that matter, nobody bought the vehicle either, signaling the eventual end of Chevy's participation in this mom-mobile segment.
Most Recent Chevrolet Venture
The Chevrolet Venture was sold from 1997-2005. Buyers could choose from standard and extended wheelbases, and three- and four-door bodies. The three-door body disappeared in 2000, while only the long-wheelbase model was available in 2005. Seven-passenger "modular" seating with individually removable chairs was standard, while eight-passenger capacity and middle-row captain's chairs were optional.
Standard features included antilock brakes, front side airbags (starting in 1998), a tilt steering wheel and an acceptable quota of cupholders and storage bins. Traction control, a power-sliding door, rear seat audio and climate controls, and a load-leveling suspension were options. As its life progressed, features like leather seating, rear parking assist, OnStar and satellite radio became available. A Warner Bros. special edition featuring special badges and a VHS entertainment system (later DVD) was offered from 2000-'03. Although initially satisfied with Venture's fit and finish, we eventually saw it as increasingly cheap and as just one area where Chevy's minivan was being outclassed by a new generation of competition.
The Venture's safety was also put into question by the IIHS' frontal offset crash test, which slapped a poor rating on the minivan's Pontiac Trans Sport clone. Although it did just fine in the NHTSA's full-frontal crash test, other minivans at the time did better at handling the added structural stresses of an offset collision. However, the Venture was the first minivan to offer front side airbags as standard equipment, while standard antilock brakes and optional all-wheel-drive improved traction.
During its first few years on sale in the late-1990s, the Venture was our top pick in the minivan segment. But once the next millennium dawned, so did other, more attractive family haulers particularly those from foreign manufacturers. Although a well-equipped Venture could present a good bargain, it would be a wise idea to shop newer minivan designs that have better safety ratings.
Past Chevrolet Ventures
There was only one generation of the Chevrolet Venture. It replaced the Lumina minivan.
User Reviews:
Showing 261 through 270 of 485.00-
I really love my venture - 2004 Chevrolet Venture
By cjbhhanlin - May 21 - 2:00 ambest vehicle i have ever owned
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Chevy Venture - 2004 Chevrolet Venture
By silverfox - May 20 - 2:00 amI havve no complaints with this vehicle it has a ride like a car.
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scary - 1997 Chevrolet Venture
By jholt - May 18 - 2:00 amDo not get this car! At 95,000 miles it needed a new engine. About 10,000 miles later, it needed a $300-$400 repair every month or so. I have now decided to just buy another car. Take my advice, DO NOT GET THIS CAR!
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Love it so far - 2000 Chevrolet Venture
By Cowboybill - May 13 - 2:00 amWeve had the van for about a year and weve loved it so far. Its smooth, roomy and powerful. We had a 4wd Mazda MPV previously. We bought a service warranty with it because we knew it had a repuation of failing intake manifold gasket at around 60k- 80k. About 8-9mos after we had it the auto-sliding door wouldnt close properly. We finally took it to the dealership to fix it. While there I had them check the intake manifold gasket. They said it was leaking so I had them replace it under the warranty. The plastics parts in the inerior are not the strongest.
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A good family vehicle - 2002 Chevrolet Venture
By Clint Goodin - May 7 - 2:00 amThis van is very roomy, yet gets good gas mileage on long trips (28 mpg). Engine has ample power. Good climate control for both front and back.
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2000 Venture Plus - 2004 Chevrolet Venture
By Al Pyle - May 6 - 2:00 am7 passenger seating arrangement very inconvenient for adults...rear seats for children only. Front passenger seat too close to door and not heighth adjustable. Will not buy another GM vehicle equipped with Firestone tires. Firestone replaced three of the original tires at different times due to failure but I have never had four good smooth running tires at the same time and still do not. No more relying on the tire supplier. wind/engine noise.
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alright - 2004 Chevrolet Venture
By Msm32490 - May 1 - 2:00 amMy review is its not the greatest but its ok.
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Heading to the Honda Garage very Soon - 1999 Chevrolet Venture
By huskerh8er - April 30 - 2:00 amPurchased this beauty a little more than a year and a half ago. Loved the van at first. Still dont mind it too much, but its starting to show the good ole American quality. @ 60,000 miles the manifold gaskets went. So, after contacting my warranty company which is belly up, (thanks, National Warranty and SmartChoice 2000) and shelling out a cool $425 to fix it, the airbag light goes off and on intermittently and now the drivers side control for the passenger window decided not to work. Goodbye GM, Hello Honda! Never again will I buy a GM vehicle!!
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Fairly Satisfied - 2004 Chevrolet Venture
By LWB - April 23 - 2:00 amI was very surprised at the comfort afforded a mini van. I mean it compares to sedans or in some instances is better.
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Chevy Venture - 2004 Chevrolet Venture
By Baaba - April 21 - 2:00 amThe Chevy is ur first mini-van. The DVD is great. The seats are leather and comfortable. The featuers are nice- Onstar, rear warning, info. radio and onboard computer. M wife really enjoys it thats all that matters.
